About

When I meet someone or come across their blog, I’m always curious about their background.

What did they do to develop into an authority on their subject matter? In a world of instant access information with options and opinions ranging from A to Z, why should I listen to them?

In my case, I’m not sure you should listen to me or not. That’s for you to decide.

However, I can tell you a little about me. Over the last 25 years, I’ve started, built and sold six different businesses.

They ranged from a chain of clothing stores to a car bumper factory to a winery.

During this time I sold millions of dollars of physical products, digital products and services.

Everything I have done has in one way or another helped me become a better business entrepreneur.

Has every attempt been wildly successful? Of course not. But most have. I’ve always believed if you don’t have the occasional setback or even outright failure, you’re not trying to accomplish anything worth having. You’re playing it too safe.

But the trick is to take what you learned (good or bad) and use that for benefit in your next situation.

Because of this philosophy, my experiences and knack for marketing, many of my business friends have sought my business advice and methods. So I decided to start this site to provide them and others my thoughts and suggestions on what I’ve learned and experienced on how to better excel in their businesses.

I’m glad you’re here and hope you benefit.

About Me

I’ve lived in Charlotte, NC for over 25 years now, but I was born and raised in Spencer, NC, which is just north of Charlotte.

Spencer is a small town of a few thousand people that for all practical purposes could be Mayberry.

You may have noticed the signs if you’ve ever driven that section of Interstate 85.

Growing up, I studied hard and received a scholarship to NC State University. I was fortunate to be there for the Jim Valvano national basketball championship in 1983.

For those of you who weren’t around then, it was everything the media has made it out to be and more.

As a lifelong wolfpack fan, it kills me to see them be less than national championship competitors. But hope does spring eternal…

During this time I think I did every crazy thing you can do. I skydived, hang glided, bungee jumped, raced motorcycles and enjoyed about all that college and life had to offer.

But I also remembered to go to class. I was a dean’s list student who graduated in 3 ½ years towards the top of my class. I received two degrees, one in Economics and one in Business Management.

My first job out of college was in marketing with the world’s largest marketing company, Procter and Gamble. In this setting, I was fortunate to be exposed to about everything a 22 year old could learn about marketing.

Although I got a few promotions and raises, I realized fairly quickly I wasn’t suited to be a corporate guy. That filter that most people have between their brain and mouth never worked for me…I was better at making the rules instead of following them.

So my path as a serial entrepreneur began.

For the next ten years, I owned a chain of clothing stores. We sold sportswear, t-shirts, golf shirts, sweatshirts, etc. not only in my stores, but to other stores throughout the country.

This is where I truly learned how important the concept of marketing was. I spent a tremendous amount of money paying true experts to help create and apply marketing that would separate me from other merchants.

I sold this business and retired for the first time at 35.

After traveling most of the world I wanted to see, I got bored. So over the next ten years, I started, built and sold 5 other businesses, including a winery.

I did enjoy being the head taste tester for the winery…

We sold wine under our name but also began to private label wine for other people who wanted their brand of wine. That’s how I was exposed to the concept of private labeling.

So instead of doing all of the work to manufacture a product, I realized I could have my items private labeled, which by the way is a whole lot easier than manufacturing.

That’s how I got interested in private labeling items under my brand name and then selling them on Amazon.

I got off to a great start on Amazon and now all I do now is work part time keeping up with my Amazon business and helping other people grow theirs.

The upside is that I get to spend more time with my wife of 28 years, Jeannie, my beagle Lizzy and my 22 year old daughter Michelle, who is following in her old man’s footsteps after graduating with a degree in marketing and business at the University of South Carolina.

Can I help you?

I hope so, but I don’t know.

I have tried to create content that helps you get started and prosper on Amazon. I encourage you to take my free training and attend one of my webinars.

If you’re serious about getting started, my FBA Head Start course will show you how you can have a wildly successful Amazon business and the time to enjoy it.